Energy

New SOMO director named as Iraq reshuffles oil sector leadership

Ali Nazar al-Shatari will be Iraq's new head of oil marketing as the Sudani government makes changes across several top oil posts.

SOMO Deputy Director General and Head of Crude Ali Nazar al-Shatari (right), at the Nov. 30, 2016, OPEC meeting in Vienna with then-Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali al-Luiebi (center), and then-SOMO Director General Falah Alamri (left). (Source: OPEC Media Office)

May 2, 2018

Q&A: Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, chief of Iraq oil contracts

The head of the Oil Ministry's Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate discusses negotiations with Exxon, Iraq's new oil contract terms, the future of Kirkuk, and much more.

May 2, 2018

April exports fall but revenues rise

Iraq contends with overworked offshore terminals and pipelines, but monthly revenues rise on higher global prices.

Apr 26, 2018

Discovered fields win the day in fifth bidding round

Oil Ministry nets significant victory with three mid-size oil firms successfully bidding on six projects after concerns raised by companies.

Apr 26, 2018

Federal Iraq’s first commercial gas field is ready

A day before a fifth fields auction, Iraq's sole successful gas field thus far from a previous bidding round is readied to supply much needed gas to power plants.

Apr 11, 2018

Iraq exports hit infrastructure ceiling

Oil slicks in the Basra Gulf reveal that Iraq's export ambitions may be putting too much pressure on outdated pipelines.

Apr 10, 2018

Kurdistan oil lawsuit moves forward

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court will finally hear a six-year-old case on the fundamental constitutional conflicts that underpin Baghdad-Erbil oil disputes.

Apr 8, 2018

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's top oil man discusses developing Majnoon after Shell, plus myriad projects to repair and upgrade offshore export capacity.

Apr 2, 2018

Iraq exports steady in March

Basra Gulf loadings see modest increase while Kurdistan's Ceyhan sales are slightly lower.

Mar 29, 2018

IOCs scramble to analyze new contract model

The Oil Ministry has shortened the deadline for its fifth bidding round, giving companies just days to evaluate big changes to the contract model.

Mar 22, 2018

Iraq enlists service companies to manage Majnoon

As Basra Oil Company prepares to take over operatorship from Shell, it is finalizing contracts with KBR and Anton to help manage the super-giant field.